<p>Before I even start, this is not a woe is me thread. It has a point.</p>
<p>Two-three weeks ago I got a really bad cold that put me out of school for a week. I struggled with attendance policies (we're only allowed to miss a certain number of days during a grading period), and only because of a forgiving physics teacher and a boyfriend in all of my classes did I manage to keep my grades the same.</p>
<p>During this all, for the past 3 monthes I've had an athletic injury that has sent me to orthopods, MRI, physical therapy, etc., etc., most of it on school time.</p>
<p>So Sunday morning, I pass out for 15 minutes, am whisked away to the ER and have a traumatic morning of throwing up and passing out at the hospital. (It's just a stomach virus, apparently.) Thankfully, we had a two-hour delay yesterday and a closing today.</p>
<p>All of this has got me thinking: next year, there's not going to be any boyfriend to spoon-feed me the information, snow delays, and grade inflation. Is anyone else worried about getting sick in college? Do any college kids have some insight? It seems like missing a week of lectures and tests, even if you have friends to keep you updated, could possibly be devastating to your progress, learning, and grades.</p>
<p>I am actually really worried about just this year and next year, etc. I get sick a lot too. I have been in the hospital THREE times in the last year, each time for a good length. Last year, I missed 59 (just looked at my transcript) last year due to a really long sickness. Yet, I still managed to get straight A's, but that was sophomore year.</p>
<p>I have already been in the hospital this year and was really sick, etc. I am constantly sick, etc. </p>
<p>I would just to try to improve your health. Drink tons of water, Vitamin C, wash your hands, execise, gets ton of sleep!</p>
<p>^^ even more frustrating is that i am an athlete, take all my supplements, watch my diet and sleep cycle, and wash before i eat. and then i get stupid stuff like colds and bronchitis.</p>
<p>but next to 59 days, my 20 or 30 looks great.</p>
<p>wow i am completely in the same boat. I've nearly got 20 days as of now and it's so hard to keep my grades up (it's really hard to even read when i'm sick like i am right now).</p>
<p>I've had to go to the hospital numerous times and i'm really scared for college. So worried am i, that i'm even considering proximity of dorms to health rooms in my college search.</p>
<p>In college, it's going to be a very different lifestyle and some of the most important habits (eating right, brushing teeth, washing hands) may evade you. DONT LET THEM!</p>
<p>Personally, I go to school with anything...pneumonia last year, stomach flu this year.</p>
<p>to colleges look at your absences and penalize you if you missed a lot of days of school? like will they figure that you don't show up at high school that you won't show up to their college??</p>
<p>Advice from a friend whose daugher has been sick with a myriad of illnesses during her first year at college. Ask about the health facilities on campus - what are the hours, who is on call (nurse, Dr., etc.) Do they have emergency facilities or if not, how close is the local hospital. Do they provide transportation to the ER or do you have to fend for yourself. Sometimes students, or their friends, are calling cabs, taking buses, etc. which is not always a good thing. Keep an eye out for your friends. My friend's D saved a friend from a serious staph infection because she became concerned about her as a result of a paper cut becoming infected with red streaks and called her mom to ask for advice. Rushed her to the ER and everything was taken care of - they caught it in time. If her friend was left on her own, it could have been deadly - and this was just a paper cut!</p>
<p>Another piece of advice is not to get too overloaded and take it easy when you need to. It's hard the first year with all the new experiences and activities and workload. Stress and exhaustion can take a toll.</p>
<p>Don't be afraid to inquire about the counseling available to students - take advantage of it if need be. It is there for a reason - your well-being.</p>